A Certain Young Girl’s Past (2)
“Well then, we’ll begin. We’ll start from Shelcieg first”
The night of the day that I received the Oracle from the Goddess-sama. Every member of the family had come to the mansion’s basement. It’s to see the Azure Dragon’s Tear’s aptitude from now on. Although it looks like anybody can use it, it looks like for generations, the individual with the better aptitude is made to succeed the Fortuyn House.
Onii grasps the Azure Dragon’s Tear, that he was handed, tightly and pours magic power in. Thereupon, the Azure Dragon’s Tear proceeds to shine blue. But, the light settles down after a while. When I look towards Onii, he’s making an extremely exhausted expression.
“Next is Shertia. Try doing it”
I was handed the Azure Dragon’s Tear by Onii, and I pour magic power into it like Onii, as I was told. Thereupon, the Azure Dragon’s Tear shines brighter than Onii earlier. Moreover, water starts overflowing from the Azure Dragon’s Tear and coils around my body.
“Humph, it’s decided. Fortuyn House will be left to Shertia. You will simultaneously study magic and how to use that Azure Dragon’s Tear from now on”
Eh? I, I’ll succeed the Fortuyn House? I, shocked by the sudden happening, froze, but the first to make a move was, as I thought, Onii
“Please wait, Chichiue! If so, what will happen to me? Even though in these 4 years since I received the Oracle, I had been studying for the sake of succeeding you!”
“I want to have Shelcieg be Shertia’s advisor. Shertia is still a child. Shelcieg, I’m counting on you”
“……Un, derstood”
I began my study on magic along with how to use the Azure Dragon’s Tear from that day onward. It was arduous because I have lots of things to study every day; magic, and alongside, studies for the sake of becoming a Feudal Lord as well, but I’m delighted to be praised by Papa and Mama so I did my best.
However, proportional to my effort in my studies, Onii stopped interacting with me. If we talk, it’s pretty much when I enquire about something or whatnot. Onii stopped initiating any conversation with me.
Gradually, the duration we meet shortened and the occasion where Onii is at home also diminished.
It was something that happened on a certain day after about a year of such days. It’s late in the night and I’m sleeping in my room when I noticed that the inside of the mansion is tumultuous. When I try waking up drowsily, I hear screams inside the mansion.
I froze in the room, without even knowing what’s going on, when the door opens vigorously. It’s 1 of the maids that came in and she’s wounded here and there.
“O, jou¹-sama, please escape”
“Wha, what happened!”
When I hurriedly approach the staggering maid, the maid kneels at that spot. I didn’t notice it earlier, but her abdomen is bleeding quite a bit.
“Burglars entered this mansion……Shelcieg-sama led them. Present Head of the Family-sama and Mistress-sama were set up by Shelcieg-sama, magic power sealing bracelets were placed on them and they got captured. I was told to get Ojou-sama to escape……come now, let us quickly go!”
“Bu, but, you’re wounded. Furthermore, Papa and Mama are also”
“Oh, there’s some at a place like this as well!”
Unknown men came in when I’m talking to the maid. The maid casts Water Magic towards the men. Water starts pouring out, as though to form a wall. And then, the maid shoulder me and leap out the window as it is.
In the midst of escaping from the mansion, we came across the man who possesses the Azure Dragon’s Tear. The maid immediately attacks the man, but the man was also strong. The result is a draw. I was entrusted the Azure Dragon’s Tear by the maid and the maid took her last breath. Reflected in my eyes, was my cherished mansion that burns from several places.
After that, my escape journey began. Firstly, it’s difficult to move so I cut my hair and change my clothes, that are conspicuous in the back alley, to dirty ones.
I searched for somebody whom I might be able to receive help from. In the meantime, I learned of Papa and Mama’s death, and the fact that I’ve gone missing. It seems that Fortuyn House is succeeded by Onii, and he’s putting up monetary reward and looking for the missing me.
I definitely won’t let you capture me. I’ll definitely not forgive Onii……no, Shelcieg. I won’t forgive Shelcieg, who destroyed Papa, destroyed Mama, destroyed the precious place where I belong. Definitely.
◇◇◇
“That, was something that happened 2 weeks ago. I suppose Shelcieg had hated me. The successor’s seat that’s supposed to be his was taken by me”
“……What an ugly fellow. No, that’s normal huh. I don’t know since I don’t have such experience, but even so, it’s unimaginable for me to do things like killing my family, killing my sister……it’s impossible despite how much I wished for her to live”
“……Chrono-san?”
Oops, my killing intent had leaked slightly. I shake my head and tell her that it’s nothing. Leaving that aside
“We have to do something about that elder brother of yours huh. Is there nobody who might be of help?”
“It’s something I heard from Mama, but it appears that there are respective factions in the current nobles. The reason is that, regarding the throne, His Majesty said he’ll let the one who acquired the most support succeed it. Because of that, all the noble split into factions of the respective imperial family members that are currently around.
Amongst that, the Four Beasts Houses; the Vermillion Bird House and White Tiger House are the First Imperial Prince Faction; the Black Tortoise House is the Second Imperial Prince Faction; and then, my Azure Dragon House was affiliated with the First Imperial Princess. So”
“If it’s that First Imperial Princess then maybe you’ll be able to get help?”
Shertia who nods at my words. If that’s the case then the things to do are decided. There’s nothing to hesitate.
“Well then, once prepared, let’s sneak into the castle tonight, shall we”
Shertia who’s dumbfounded at my words. Now, there are various things that are necessary so I guess I’ll go and buy them. I also have to go and sell the Magic Sword that I made earlier and also make money to buy materials.
